Flights of Excellence

Work quality is more than a matter of professional pride for Kimberly Conrad, lead business area export representative for Pratt & Whitney Engine Services (PWES) in her hometown of Bridgeport.

Her son Joseph is a pilot in the United States Air Force. He trained in a T6 Texan aircraft with Pratt & Whitney engines.

PWES overhauls and repairs Pratt & Whitney Canada turbofan and turboprop engines. The Canadian company designated PWES as a “Center of Excellence” in recognition of its quality work.

The Harrison Marion Regional Airport where PWES is based today was where Conrad’s son was first struck with a yearning to fly nearly 20 years earlier.

“I took him to his first air show when he was about five years old,” Conrad said. “From that time on, he focused on what he needed to do to get in the cockpit of an aircraft. He decided the best route to go would be to apply at the U.S. Air Force Academy. There was no way I was going to stand in the way of his dream after he spent so many years working to reach it.”

Joseph received his appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy right after graduation from Bridgeport High School in 2003.

“Our PWES team takes pride in the work they to do and strives to be the best. That gives me confidence in the safety of our engines – and the safety of my son, his friends and the rest of our military sons and daughters who are flying those engines to defend our country.”